Odisha Police SI recruitment scam: Silicon Tech owner arrested, to be produced before court along with Shankar Prusty

In the latest development in the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam probe, the Crime Branch arrested Suresh Chandra Nayak, owner of Silicon Tech, following a marathon round of questioning of Shankar Prusty, the alleged mastermind of the crime.

Sources informed that Nayak’s arrest came hours after an intensive interrogation session at the Crime Branch headquarters in Cuttack, where he was confronted with key evidence and testimonies collected during the probe into the high-profile recruitment racket.

Both Shankar Prusty and Suresh Chandra Nayak are scheduled to be produced before the Berhampur Vigilance Court today as the Crime Branch prepares to seek their remand for further questioning.

Crime Branch Tightens Net

The duo’s remand will aid the Crime Branch in questioning and may help uncover the complete operational chain of the scam, from software manipulation to financial transactions and alleged political cover-ups.

On Sunday, CB sleuths already interrogated Prusty in the presence of Muna Mohanty, identified as a close associate and middleman in the scam.

Reports state that Mohanty and Silicon Tech’s Nayak acted as vital links between the main accused and several candidates who paid large sums to secure selection in the SI recruitment exam conducted by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB).

During questioning, Prusty reportedly hinted at the involvement of influential individuals, suggesting that some decisions were taken under pressure from figures linked to the previous state government. 

Sources said the Crime Branch is likely to verify these claims by cross-checking digital records, money trails, and communication logs recovered from seized devices.

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Technical And Financial Conspiracy

As per fresh reports, the investigation is now probing how the alleged syndicate tampered with digital systems used for conducting the recruitment exam. 

Forensic experts have reportedly been roped in to analyse data from the software firms involved, including Panchsoft Technologies, owned by Prusty, and Silicon Tech, owned by Nayak.

Crime Branch officials suspect that the accused manipulated server data and login credentials to alter marks and generate fraudulent merit lists.

Over 114 candidates are under scrutiny for allegedly securing their positions through payments routed via middlemen. Sources said the scam allegedly involved multiple layers of collusion, spanning from technical service providers to officials who had access to confidential exam data.